Bh Lisas Boy qualifies for Champion of Champions

CYPRESS, Calif. - Bh Lisas Boy became the first horse to qualify for the Grade 1 Champion of Champions in December with a win in Sunday’s Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Championship for older Quarter Horses.

The $600,000 Champion of Champions is the richest race for older Quarter Horses and annually plays a pivotal role in year-end voting. Berths to the Champion of Champions are awarded to the winners of major stakes through the year. Horses can also qualify in time trials at Los Alamitos in November to complete the 10-horse field.

Bh Lisas Boy ($4.60) led throughout the $150,900 Winter Championship on Sunday to win by a half-length over Zoomin For Spuds, the winner of the Champion of Champions last December. Jess a Pollitician, a 23-1 outsider, finished third in the field of 10, beaten 1 1/4 lengths.

Bh Lisas Boy, a 5-year-old Idaho-bred gelding, was timed in 19.62 seconds and was ridden by Cesar De Alba.

Owned by breeder Bill Hoburg, Bh Lisas Boy has won 12 of 22 starts and has earned $320,256. Hoburg trained Bh Lisas Boy in 2016 but turned the gelding over to veteran Los Alamitos trainer John Cooper this winter. Hoburg said in the winner’s circle Sunday that he has been busy preparing 2-year-olds for the upcoming season at his farm near Boise, Idaho.

The Winter Championship was originally scheduled for Feb. 12 and again for last Friday, but was delayed twice because of wet conditions that led to the cancellation of races on those days. The track was fast Sunday evening.

Earlier on the program, All Kinds of Kind won the $106,750 Maiden Stakes for 3-year-olds who were winless as of Dec. 1.

All Kinds of Kind ran 350 yards in 17.81 seconds, winning by a half-length over 16-1 Better Check Him Out. Oscar Peinado rode All Kinds of Kind.

A filly, All Kinds of Kind has won 3 of 10 starts and earned $58,585 for the List family’s Double Bar S Ranch and trainer Paul Jones.